What You Need to Know
Sodium alginate reacts with calcium chloride to form a gel-like substance, creating a sphere. The size and texture of the spheres can be controlled by adjusting the concentration of sodium alginate and calcium chloride, as well as the temperature and pH of the bath.
Steps
- 1.
Molecular olives (Spain): Encapsulates olive juice in edible membrane
- 2.
Ravioli without pasta (Italy): Creates delicate cheese-filled spheres
- 3.
Bubble tea pearls (Taiwan): Forms juice-filled popping boba
The Science
Primary Reaction
Sodium alginate and calcium chloride reaction